Plans for the next section of the Teign Estuary Trail between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth that will provide a safe cycling and walking route between the two towns have been unveiled.

Devon County Council has been supported by Teignbridge District Council in preparing the proposals to develop a 5km section of multi-use trail between Passage House Inn in Newton Abbot and the A381 at La Roche Maurice Walk, east of Bishopsteignton.

The Trail will also include a shared-use path connecting from the A381 to the junction near Morrisons supermarket, at the western edge of Teignmouth.

The Trail scheme forms part of Devon County Council’s Cycling and Multi-use Trail Strategy and is intended to invest in the cycling and walking network providing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians to support the local economy and provide a safer environment.

The proposed shared use path broadly follows the alignment of Plymouth to Exeter railway line and has been designed to improve connectivity for walkers and cyclists and to provide easy access to all parts of the site.

Cllr Ron Peart, Devon County Councillor for Kingsteignton and Teign Estuary, said: ‘I have many residents who contact me in support of the Teign Estuary Trail and the many benefits this will bring to the health of residents, the environment and the local economy. The next step is to gain planning permission.

Teignbridge’s executive member for planning, Cllr Gary Taylor, added: ‘I hope that the planning process is completed swiftly so work can get underway once funding is secured.’

The scheme is split into two sections – the western section from the Passage House Inn in Kingsteignton to Bishopsteignton, and then the eastern section from Bishopsteignton to Teignmouth.

The western extent of the proposed shared use path would run from the Passage House Inn and the path joins Hackney Lane just north of the Hackney Lane railway bridge. The new shared use path is proposed to run parallel to the north of the existing railway line, but will skirt the northern / eastern section of the lagoon near the western end of the scheme at Ware Barton Farm.

Heading further east, a new subway is proposed under an existing farm track that leads to the bridge over the railway at the bottom end of Wear Farm, before the path extends as far as Luxton’s steps and at this point the path meets the existing Bishopsteignton public footpath.

On the eastern section, the new shared use path is proposed to continue eastwards from Luxton’s steps until it joins the A381 Newton Road. A new bridge for the shared use path is proposed just north of and parallel to the existing railway bridge over Flow Lane and the existing Bishopsteignton footpath, while a new Toucan crossing is proposed across the A381 to the east of Shute Fruit to improve connectivity for walkers and cyclists.

The link into Bishopsteignton and towards Teignmouth will be provided as part of a permitted development, and there will be an improvement to the existing footway alongside the existing A381 highway and will be associated with, but does not form part of the planning application.

It adds: ‘This section stretches from Bishopsteignton for approximately 1.5km, terminating at the junction of the A381 with the entrance to Morrisons superstore and enables local businesses to benefit from the additional trade created by the construction of the Teign Estuary Trail.’

The Teign Estuary Trail is being developed in sections as funding opportunities become available, with the initial section between Kingsteignton and Town Quay, in Newton Abbot, opening in 2013.

Devon County Council planners will determine the fate of the application at a later date.